Journalists reporting on the Bangladesh Secretariat, including members of the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF), will be allowed entry with temporary passes starting Monday, officials said on Sunday.

The decision followed a meeting between BSRF leaders and Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at the Secretariat.

Masudul Hoque, general secretary of the BSRF, said that the forum had requested a resolution to the restrictions that had limited access for journalists covering the Secretariat beat.

"In response to our appeal, the adviser assured that journalists working in the Secretariat beat, including BSRF members, will be allowed entry with temporary passes for the next 15 days," he said.

The adviser also revealed plans to issue new press accreditation cards for journalists, which will be managed by the Directorate of Information under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The government aims to digitise these accreditation cards to streamline access and improve security.

Masudul Hoque said that a list of BSRF members has already been submitted to the Home Ministry.

This development is expected to ease concerns among journalists covering the Secretariat, enabling them to continue their professional duties unhindered.